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Organizational Overview
VISION: We are a
community that strengthens families and nurtures the
learning potential of every child.
MISSION: The Early Learning Coalition will
integrate leadership and community resources to promote
high quality early education and family support.
PURPOSE: The Early Learning Coalition provides
administration and oversight of the local, integrated
system of early education for preschool age children in
Sarasota County, ensuring quality childcare and early
learning programs, family access to services, and
positive outcomes for young children.
BACKGROUND/HISTORY: The Early Learning Coalition
of Sarasota County was originally incorporated in May
2000 as the School Readiness Coalition of Sarasota
County, Inc., as a 501 c (3) non-profit organization.
Legislation outlines the responsibilities for Early
Learning Coalitions across the state including oversight
for the delivery of local early education services,
establishes thresholds for spending categories,
including an administrative cap of 5%, and determines
the composition of its Board of Directors. Our local
Coalition currently administers a program of almost $12
million of local, state and federal funds that are used
to:
- Facilitate and
oversee a wide range of services to enhance the
overall system of quality child care and preschool
educational services for children in Sarasota County
- Provide child care
scholarships to local income-eligible families and
appropriate developmental screenings for children
- Administer the
Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten Program (VPK) for all
eligible four year olds to increase the readiness of
children to begin Kindergarten
- Offer wide range of
resources for parents, including educational
materials on child development, early literacy, and
support for parents being their child’s first
teacher
- Currently serve 4000
children and assist 230 early care and education
providers annually
Both the School Readiness Act
(s.411.01, F.S.) in 1999 and the Voluntary
Pre-Kindergarten legislation (s. 1002.52-1002.79, F.S.)
in 2005 assign a number of specific responsibilities to
Early Learning Coalitions to implement at the local
level to improve the quality of local child care sites
and support school readiness outcomes for all children.
The Legislature recognized that effective school
readiness programs increase children’s chances for
success.
The Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota County reports
at the state level to the Office for Early Learning
within the Agency for Workforce Innovation. An
18-21-member Board of Directors, whose membership is
determined by the current legislation, governs the
Coalition and ensures compliance with all applicable
legislation and statutory requirements and a high
quality of services. The Chair and two of the private
sector business representatives are appointed by the
Governor, other Board members are community leaders,
educators, child care professionals, and local business
representatives, all dedicated to ensuring that
Sarasota’s young children are given the strong
foundation they need to succeed in school.
ELC of Sarasota Board of Directors meets the third
Wednesday of the month at 6:00pm at the Landings.
Call for more information.
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